Update 2026 NFL draft order: Browns 1st round picks set after Jaguars playoff loss

For the Cleveland Browns, the head coaching search is the clear and present issue that needs to be resolved, but the 2026 NFL draft could decide as much or more about the team’s future. While a Browns legend

weighs in on potential coach options and a few blasts from the past are interview candidates, the NFL playoffs show us how important first-round quarterbacks can be.

Two games during Wild Card weekend of the NFL playoffs were set to impact Cleveland’s 2026 NFL draft order. The Browns needed the Jacksonville Jaguars to lose as soon as possible to lock in where the pick they acquired in the Travis Hunter trade would fall.

With the Jaguars falling to the Buffalo Bills in an exciting postseason matchup, Cleveland’s attention and rooting interest was for the New England Patriots to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Unfortunately, the Chargers didn’t do their part to help, with the Patriots winning 16-3.

The Browns will be picking sixth overall with their pick and 24th with Jacksonville’s first-round pick.

2026 NFL draft order – Top 24 projection

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (from the Atlanta Falcons)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. New York Jets (from the Indianapolis Colts)
17. Detroit Lions
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (from the Green Bay Packers)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers*
22. Los Angeles Chargers*
23. Philadelphia Eagles*
24. Cleveland Browns

As of now, only the first 20 picks are locked into place, as is the Browns 24th pick. Picks 21 through 23 would change if the Steelers beat the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. The Texans would be picking 23rd, with the Chargers and Eagles moving up one spot from the above order.

Ladies and gentlemen, you can start your Mock Draft engines going even stronger now that Cleveland is officially picking 6th and 24th.